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Amtrak Washington train crash: Deaths as carriages fall on US motorway Amtrak Washington train crash: Deaths as carriages fall on US motorway
(about 1 hour later)
A US passenger train on its inaugural run in Washington state has derailed, with carriages crashing on to the motorway below at the height of the morning rush hour.A US passenger train on its inaugural run in Washington state has derailed, with carriages crashing on to the motorway below at the height of the morning rush hour.
A number of people died and many more were injured on board the train, which hit vehicles on the I-5 highway below.A number of people died and many more were injured on board the train, which hit vehicles on the I-5 highway below.
Images from the scene show that all the carriages of the high-speed train appear to have left the track. Images from the scene showed that all the carriages of the high-speed train had left the track.
It was Amtrak's first passenger service to run on a new, shorter route.It was Amtrak's first passenger service to run on a new, shorter route.
Train 501 had left Seattle, heading south for Portland, at 06:00 local time (14:00 GMT). The derailment happened on a section of track, south of Tacoma, previously only used for freight trains.Train 501 had left Seattle, heading south for Portland, at 06:00 local time (14:00 GMT). The derailment happened on a section of track, south of Tacoma, previously only used for freight trains.
Follow latest updates hereFollow latest updates here
Authorities quoted by Associated Press spoke of at least six people killed, although the number was expected to rise. Authorities quoted by Associated Press spoke of at least six people killed, although the number was expected to rise. Another 77 people have been taken to hospital, reports say.
Reports suggest 77 people have been taken to hospital. Seven vehicles, two of them lorries, were hit on the interstate highway below.
Several cars on the highway were struck by the derailed carriages. Aerial images show the train's carriages littered across the ground, on both sides of the bridge carrying the railway over the motorway. One passenger carriage could be seen dangling from the bridge, while others were strewn across the road and the wooded area next to the track.
A photograph released by Washington State Patrol showed one carriage upside down on the road, with wreckage all around it.
Pierce County Sheriff's department spokesman Ed Troyer said there were "multiple" fatalities on the train but no motorists had been killed.Pierce County Sheriff's department spokesman Ed Troyer said there were "multiple" fatalities on the train but no motorists had been killed.
The fire department had taken many people out of the train and they had been transported to hospitals, he added. A recording of the train's emergency call to railway dispatchers was released to US media.
"Emergency! We are on the ground!" a man, possibly the conductor, radios in.
In a second radio call, another staff member reports that only the rear unit remains on the rails.
"All other cars appear to be on the ground in quite a mess," he says.
The train's engineer has a head injury, he tells dispatchers.
President Donald Trump's first reaction to the derailment was to tweet that it showed the need for his forthcoming infrastructure plan.President Donald Trump's first reaction to the derailment was to tweet that it showed the need for his forthcoming infrastructure plan.
He later added that his thoughts and prayers were with those involved.He later added that his thoughts and prayers were with those involved.
The section of track where the crash happened has been recently rebuilt and upgraded using federal funds.
Washington's governor has declared a state of emergency in two counties.Washington's governor has declared a state of emergency in two counties.
Passenger Chris Karnes, on board the train, said his carriage had careened down an embankment then come to a stop: "We could hear and feel the cars crumpling and breaking apart, and water came out from the ceiling." Passenger Chris Karnes, on board the train, said his carriage had careered down an embankment then come to a stop: "We could hear and feel the cars crumpling and breaking apart, and water came out from the ceiling."
"In order to get out... we had to kick out the emergency window," he added."In order to get out... we had to kick out the emergency window," he added.
Amtrak said approximately 78 passengers and five crew members had been on board the train.Amtrak said approximately 78 passengers and five crew members had been on board the train.
Governor Jay Inslee said he was praying for the many injured.Governor Jay Inslee said he was praying for the many injured.
Officials have set up a family reunification centre at DuPont city hall, and asked people not to come to the scene of the crash. Officials set up a family reunification centre at DuPont city hall and asked people not to come to the scene of the crash.
A local news reporter who was on the train, but got off at a stop just before the crash, said many of those on board were railway enthusiasts, keen to experience the first high-speed train on the new route.
Every passenger was given a commemorative lanyard and badge to mark their journey, he said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Are you in Washington? Did you witness the train crash? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Washington? Did you witness the train crash? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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